In 2012, Kim Junsu’s new musical is “Elisabeth” that is loved the most in Austria for 20 years. In this musical that tells the life story of Empress Elisabeth who, just like Mozart, always dreamt of freedom; he will play the fantasy character ‘Death’ (hereafter Tod) along with Ryu Junghan and Song Changui. Compared to a genius composer and a pure young man (‘Tears of Heaven’), a character of ‘non-existent being’ will require more imagination. As a musical actor, from now on, he has a lot of technical homework to solve. However, Kim Junsu said, “No matter what musical it is, I want the audience know that I do it because I love musical.”
10. Even the best skills can’t catch up with the sincerity. In the future, you might be compared to when you did ‘Mozart!’ whenever you do musical. Don’t you feel pressure?
Kim Junsu: I indeed like that. Because I did ‘Mozart!’, I’m able to do ‘Elisabeth’. I finally did it even in difficult situation and I didn’t give up on musical despite other activities. Therefore, I’m worried about whether I can successfully play this role but I don’t feel pressure about being compared.
“Compared to Ryu Junghan and Song Changui, I’ll become a dynamic Tod”
10. I heard that Tod’s appearance would be very flashy.
Kim Junsu: I’ll appear when six actors who plays the characters called ‘angels of death’ create an aura of death. Since it’s a transcendental character, there will be a lot of lights, wires and bridges involved. I almost won’t ever step on the 1st floor of the stage.
10. Since you have often held large-scale concerts, you must be more familiar to hanging on wires than other actors.
Kim Junsu: Some days ago, I tried hanging on wires but it was very high. (Silence for 3 seconds) I’ll just have to be confident. (Everyone burst out laughing) Luckily, I don’t have acrophobia and I got used to it because I have frequently been on it. However, it’s still scary. I think it’s the same with (Park) Euntae-hyung. (Laugh)
10. Even though it’s just a short appearance, you will play a character that has many implications. In term of experience and acting, there is a big difference between you and Ryu Junghan and Song Changui. How did you create ‘XiahTod’?
Kim Junsu: If I have to explain (how I created ‘XiahTod’), it was like adding a little bit of sweetness to the image of Hyde (of Jekyll and Hyde)? I haven’t play that kind of role before so it’s hard for people to get the feel what I’ll be like. And because there isn’t an exact answer for what a transcendental character will be like, I think I can play the character more freely. Perhaps, my Tod will have more dance moves than other actors. We are Death, three of us will all show different feelings. Therefore, they said that we wouldn’t need to have the same hairstyle or wear the same costumes.
10. Basically, Tod always fascinates Sissi so that character needs to have a ‘homme fatale’ feeling. (Laugh)
Kim Junsu: I’m studying him in my own way. I also lost a lot of weights. (Laugh) My manager jumped up and down, worrying that I might get hurt but I play soccer often. It has helped me to lose weight, made my skin healthier and increased my physical strength. I also think somehow the choreography will a strong point of my character.
10. Since the public acknowledges you as a good singer, it’s quite not easy to me to understand why you said that choreography would be your strong point.
Kim Junsu: Since I was young, I have liked both singing and dance. Even when I was trainee, some friends who were better than me at singing but I think I was the best at dancing. (Laugh) When I was in SM, every time some visitors came from Japan, they made some of the trainees good at singing and dancing perform for them and I did both. I could imitate the dancing after 2 or 3 times watching it on television. I still like to dance. I also miss the stage where I can dance.
10. Then how did you start singing?
Kim Junsu: My mother was very good at singing. I was much influenced from her. At the beginning, instead of thinking that I was good at singing, I wondered why other kids couldn’t sing. (Laugh) Since elementary school, when we sang national anthem, while other friends sang like singing a children’s song, I even sang it with a lot of vibrations. So many of them asked why I sang like an old man. (Laugh) I felt that it was very cool but I don’t know since when I used vibration.
“To diversify the roles, I thought about taking musical lessons”
10. But in musicals, there are a lot of cases where that vibration becomes harmful. It’s not easy to set a balance between pop music and musical.
Kim Junsu: In musicals, because the lyrics are also the lines, the diction is extremely important. But in pop music, if you sing precisely the lyrics, it indeed makes the song unfashionable. So enhancing your pronunciation becomes important. Therefore, I think these two genres are different from the start. In addition, in pop music, you use a lot of bending, pushing up the notes but it’s not the case in musical. The singing methods are also different.
10. Starting musical career, have you ever received separate vocal lessons?
Kim Junsu: I have practiced with the musical director but have never received separate vocal lessons. But somehow, I still can’t get aside the distinct way a singer sings and it caused a limitation in the roles I can play. Nowadays, I have been thinking of taking musical lessons. Not doing something and not being able to do something are two different things.
10. I asked you about vocal lessons because your low notes that I felt to be your weak point in ‘Mozart!’ and ‘Tears of heaven’ have improved a lot.
Kim Junsu: Actually, the low notes in “Elisabeth” are lower than the ones in my previous musicals. In term of voice range, it’s evidently hard because I had always been strong with the high notes. However, I have been thinking of many things these days. There is surely different point between the feelings as a singer and the feelings as a musical actor. And I’m in the process of getting to know about those.
10. I think that musical has become something that you don’t want let go of. Your strong point is that you express your emotions through songs. Will you continue to go forward with this strong point or take a new challenge?
Kim Junsu: Because each musical is attractive in its own way, I want to try feeling all of them. (Laugh) I still prefer the sad endings that leave lingering emotion in audience. All the musicals I have done till now were also a bit like that. What I really have confidence in is something funny like ‘Guys and Dolls’. (Laugh) I think that’s why I want to challenge myself with sad endings. However, there are things that you want to do but aren’t suited for. There are also things that you can do but don’t want to. For now, rather than wondering whether I should bring out my strong point or take a new challenge, I want to act in the way that the audience will knows that I’m doing musicals because I really love it.
10. It seems that in difficult situation, JYJ’s members have found the best ways for you.
Kim Junsu: It’s very tough. While other people have 10 weapons, we’re in the situation that we can only chose from 2 or 3. Maybe that’s why we try more desperately whenever we get one. That’s also what gives me more strength.
Source: 10asia via Nate
Translation by: The Little Pear of JYJ3
Shared by: JYJ3
Please do not add to, alter, or remove the credits.
i admire junsu more avery day
can’t say anything, he is just awesome man ^^!!
I love him so much!!!! I love him more than anything. ^^
I already said it before. I love his interviews and I love them more and more.
Thanks Junsu’s mum for being an influence for him at singing too.
I also want to see Junsu’s free style dances!!!! I love it when he dances!!!!
Don’t we all? He is very very good at dancing ^^
I love you so much
But I hate you for lost your weight
But It’s no problem if you were happy 😀
Hope your musical will be more success
I hope after musical you gain your weight, so you’ll chubby again ><
Love you 😀
“Even when I was trainee, some friends who were better than me at singing but I think I was the best at dancing.”
Who were those friends better than you in singing? I think only Jae can at par at you at singing but I can’t say better since you have different style. But in dancing, no question on that, ONLY JUNSU, that’s why I always wonder why he’s not highlighted as the best dancer in his TVXQ days. JaeChun are graceful dancers while Junsu is a power dancer, that’s what sets him apart.
And this is a sad feat for them :
“It’s very tough. While other people have 10 weapons, we’re in the situation that we can only chose from 2 or 3. Maybe that’s why we try more desperately whenever we get one. That’s also what gives me more strength.”
The words “we try more desperately whenever we get one” really hurt. SHAME on those taking advantage of JYJ’s blocking (you can have all the limelights now but gold coated jewels will never last long), and to all those taking part of this shameless blocking of true talents, time will come you’ll pay the highest price to JYJ and to us JYJFans.
junsu yah I am lost at words now,I started copy the paragraph I like and end up I like whole interview,all are favorite,I want to see the flashy arrival of death too,have to wait for fancam then
Haha. He’s a wise and deep man.
I absolutely adore reading Junsu’s responses in Interviews… he’s really showing a level of depth and intellect that I really thought were beyond him 2-3 years ago! I’m so proud of how he has matured over time!
His words really show wisdom!
actually he’s no different from the past people just didn’t realize his deep intellectuality, there was this one interview that made me realize he’s more of a thinker than all of DBSK put together , the interview was about what does a real man mean or what is a real man and u’d love his answer for this question. do u know the photo book where Junsu has a bandana and he’s shirtless and on a canoe i think and holding a canoe paddle, do u remember that pic, it was at that exact time that he was asked this question and he answered while he was being photographed for that very exact photo. its just most interviews don’t ask him intellectual questions so it isn’t well known to fans how his bain works, i think the reason why he so innocent and acts differently from others is that his knowledge in things that people know differ from his knowledge in other things that people don’t know, so people think he is simple minded cause the norm to people Junsu is curious about and tries to learn to understand when everybody already knows naturally, but people can’t understand deep things cause their knowledge in that is vague when it comes naturally to Junsu, its because he analysis everything, most people just know cause they receive that knowledge from others so they behave commonly but Junsu behaves differently because he answers himself he receives knowledge from himself notice how quiet he is at first when being asked, his mind analysis what information he grabs and then holds onto a basis that make his answers revolve around those grounds and from then expand still revolving around the point he decides is the best point to view in regards to the question. but its always connected to his very own principal or conviction . he gets asked and his mind searches for a collaboration between his conviction and a core point that he elaborates on turning the answer into conviction in it self. its true its his point of view but it end up being an added conviction as well. he only says things he truly believes, that’s why his answers are felt sincere by the reader he doesn’t just answer he gives us his thoughts and explains it and u get he believes it to be like this and we get convinced too and that make it enjoyable to listen and read his answers. add to that we understand him better.
I agree with you. Junsu is still the same. I also remember in the past, there was also a few interviews where they have to choose which member is good at this and that, or different (I can’t remember really what the question was) but I remember all of them point to Junsu. The 4 members said though he is 2 maknae, his thoughts and feelings are more mature and thinks things through. Leader Yunho also said that as a leader he look up to Junsu and the two of them are close because Junsu understand and help him through a lot. Also remember that yoochun and changmin said there are two leaders, yunho and junsu.
“Not doing something and not being able to do something are two different things”
oh..i love this quote…it means deeper than just phrases…i think i can use it for my students….nowadays teens too caught up with a lot of things in the wrong ways…they seems to be easily given up at a mere obsticle, then satisfied with a reason that they are not being able to do something about it~ so better they given it up. they should doing something to overcomes their problem…they should seek help but what frustrating me is they just given it up after some difficulties…
hahahahaaaa….sorry, i been busy lately thinking about my students “lazy-to-try-because-i-will not-able-to do-it” syndrome… thinking back when i was young, i never afraid/lazy to try/learn new things everyday…for me learning new things is like having start a new adventure, the excitement, the participant, the challenges that may come make it fun….it is sweeter after the hard labour…hahahahahahahaaa….
i been reading about junchan and his beloved brothers that make me singing once a famous milk powder cf in my country…it really evoke my motherly sentiment in me…it make me want to book the ticket and fly to SK just to embrace them [especially yuchun-nie]. their parent must be very, very, very……..PROUD of their sons…
“Engkaulah permata anak kesayangan,
kebanggaan ayah dan ibu,
engkau dibesarkan dengan kasih sayang,
hanya yang terbaik untukmu,
menjadi harapan di masa hadapan,
engkaulah anak yang cemerlang”
translation: [not sure it is correct or not coz my limited english but i’ll try]
“You are darling child,
the pride of mother and father,
you are raised with love,
only the best is for you,
you are the hope in the future,
you are an excellent child”
to watch each young men grown in their career and as a person each day,
giving all the love and support that we can everyday,
putting faith and hope in every steps they make,
to be worried and protective for their feeling and well being,
to be calm and rasional in every words/action- so it wont effected them in negative ways,
to wish all the best in this whole world for them,
to be by their side in worst or in great time….
that what means of being a fan of JYJ fans for me…
that’s what i learn after i am joinning JYJ3….thanks a lot adminnie and my JYJ families for created this atmosphere, that help me to grown together with these great young men….LOVE JYJ, LOVE you all….
Really loving his recent interviews.
10. It seems that in difficult situation, JYJ’s members have found the best ways for you.
Kim Junsu: It’s very tough. While other people have 10 weapons, we’re in the situation that we can only chose from 2 or 3. Maybe that’s why we try more desperately whenever we get one. That’s also what gives me more strength.
i love everything he said. this summarizes why they are so awesome. growth comes with struggle, not complacency. sm might think they are damaging them but really they are helping them grow and develop and become even better and more rounded than before. adversity bears maturity and strength and they have lots of both.
I love how he has already gotten over the lawsuit thing and talks about his time at SM in such a carefree manner ^^ It shows that he has moved on (:
He’s soooo admirable, the depth of his thoughts and the niceness of his personality is worth striving towards!
Love all of them so much ❤
Kim JunSu, you are an amazing, insightful, mature young man. Kim JaeJoong and Park YooChun are the same, and I love the three of you. So proud to know about JYJ.
junsu is amazing both as man and as an artist. junsu fighting
“Not doing something and not being able to do something are two different things.”
“However, there are things that you want to do but aren’t suited for. There are also things that you can do but don’t want to. For now, rather than wondering whether I should bring out my strong point or take a new challenge, I want to act in the way that the audience will knows that I’m doing musicals because I really love it.”
Just great…Junsu is just so great…<3
Junsu you are awsome! I love you! ❤
What can I say about Jun-Chan’s interview that hasn’t already been said and infinitely better, I might add 😀 I’m just glad he’s given us a little insight into the person he is becoming; a skilled musical performer, with passion,humor and depth. I hope to see him perform live in a musical one day soon! Much success with ‘Tod’ in ‘Elisabeth’, Su!!!
I would also like to give sincere Thank You to 10asia for some of the best interviews conducted with Junsu. It was more of a dialog between acquaintances than just interviewer and interviewee. Great job!
” It was more of a dialog between acquaintances ”
er i know this is off topic but,
i think this sentence u made should be put in a text book for students hoping to become good interviewers , and the reason this interview brought intellectual Su into the light is because the questions were intellectual wanting to know his thoughts in this and that.
the interviewer is a bravo a sure advantage for 10asia
yes, i think the questions are good n well prepared…..so it can bring out more about Junsu’s thought n opinion that we all want to know about him <333
“It’s very tough. While other people have 10 weapons, we’re in the situation that we can only chose from 2 or 3. Maybe that’s why we try more desperately whenever we get one. That’s also what gives me more strength.”
don’t worry JS, we fans will try to improvise more weapons for you. Just keep your heads up while feet on the ground.
Always JYJ!
I just love Junsu so much!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is such a wonderful and deep thoughtful person. The more interviews I read the deeper my love becomes of him. He has such a warm heart!!!!!!!!!